The Three Crowns: The Story of William a - By Jean Plaidy Page 0,10
but at the time of that trouble she had been growing bigger every week. Clarendon’s daughter and a commoner! James would always be in trouble.
And now the husband of his mistress was going about declaring he was the Holy Ghost and the reason was that James had made him a cuckold.
Charles was feeling exasperated with James when a message was brought to him that his brother was asking for an audience.
Charles commanded that he be brought immediately.
“Well, brother?” he said.
James bowed stiffly; then his manner relaxed. He was not unlike Charles, not so tall but even so more than medium height; and he had a natural dignity. His features were similar; the difference was in their manner. The King was natural, at ease, lazily charming; James was reserved; he was considerably more handsome than Charles, but completely lacked his brother’s charm. Charles was nonchalant; James was very serious; Charles succeeded in winning his subjects’ affection without trying. James tried hard and did not often succeed. He had been popular when he had resounding successes at sea, but that popularity waned with failure, whereas Charles never lost the acclaim of the people in spite of his scandalous behavior. The Duke of Buckingham had said of them: “Charles could if he would, and James would if he could!” A remark which many believed summed up succinctly the differences between the brothers.
“I believe Your Majesty wishes to discuss the vexatious matter of my father-in-law,” said James.
“Ah,” retorted Charles, “what a family you have married into!”
James retorted: “And what a Chancellor Your Majesty has got yourself.”
“Methinks he will be Chancellor little longer, for the truth is his behavior and humor have grown insupportable, and I can no longer endure it, finding it impossible to live with.”
“Yet,” said James, “he is a man who has done good service.”
“And he is your father-in-law.”
James snapped his fingers.
“Your wife will not be pleased.” Charles smiled. “But then there are other matters in which you displease her, so I believe.”
“What can Your Majesty expect? I am your brother.”
Charles smiled lazily at James. “I should expect you to give a good account of yourself to your little friends,” he said. “I would not have it otherwise. Wives alas can be demanding.”
“I think the Duchess and I understand each other.”
“Then you are indeed a fortunate man, for a wife who understands and smiles at her husband’s peccadilloes is beyond rubies. But the lady’s father?”
“This is the end, is it not?”
“There is no other way, brother. He has been a good minister in the past … and that I remember. But he has become overbearing. He works against me and the Parliament. Many are calling for his blood. I shall try to save him from his enemies … if that is possible. But I want him to go, James. Tell him that I want no more of him. Persuade him to go quietly and his reward shall be to live in peace.”
“I shall speak to him.”
“Speak gently, for he is an old man. But tell him to go … while he can.”
“I shall do my best.”
“And there is one other matter. The husband of a friend of yours called on me this day. The Holy Ghost. Have you the honor of his acquaintance?”
James looked puzzled.
“Investigations proved my visitor to be come not from the celestial regions but from Scotland Yard. His name is Denham. Can you enlighten me?”
“Denham?” said James. “Margaret’s husband.”
“An Irish poet who has been a good friend to our father and ourselves. We should remember our friends, brother.”
“I have naught against him. I scarce know the fellow.”
“It is understandable since you know his wife very well. A strong friendship with a lady often means one of slightly less warmth with her husband.”
“She is but eighteen …”
“A delectable age!”
“And he is fifty and looks seventy. What can he expect marrying one so young?”
Charles smiled cynically at his brother.
“Alas,” he said, “the people expect you to conduct your affairs with discretion.”
“Your Majesty’s affairs are …”
“Not always discreet. The King’s prerogative, brother. Remember you are not yet King.”
“And you are asking me …”
“Only to have a little care. I liked not the look of our friend Denham. He was a sick man with a purpose in his eyes. I am warning you to be discreet. That is all.”
“I will go along to Scotland Yard. I will discover what this means.”
“Then I pray you go quietly, for the sake of your Duchess. I trust the lady is well. And the children?”